The NRL were questioning where all the fans were after the first round of the 2014 season. This was a well-documented dilemma, which had left everyone wondering what had gone wrong.
However further on in the year and fans had finally figured out there was rugby league being played around the Easter and school holiday breaks. This saw crowd figures rise instantly.
This year, Round 1’s crowd average was 15,824 people compared to 2013’s 19,835 people. The large decline of supporters attending games has a lot to do with a few reasons that I’ve been thinking about for the past weeks.
Round 1’s draw was a complete mess from the start.
It’s time to sack Thursday night football once and for all. No parents want to take their kids out to ANZ Stadium on a school night. The Roosters versus Souths game should’ve had more than 30,000 fans just to see Sonny Bill Williams versus Sam Burgess, Greg Inglis versus Mick Jennings and Mitchell Pearce versus Adam Reynolds.
Yet the game only managed to gain 27,000 fans.
My Round 1 draw would’ve looked like this (with possible crowd averages afterwards):
Friday
Roosters versus Souths – Allianz Stadium – 30,000+ fans
Broncos versus Bulldogs – Suncorp Stadium – 40,000+ fans
Saturday
Knights versus Panthers – Hunter Stadium – 20,000+ fans
Manly versus Storm – Brookvale Oval – 10,000+ fans
Cowboys versus Raiders – Townsville – 10,000+ fans
Sunday
Warriors versus Eels – Eden Park – 30,000+ fans
Dragons versus Tigers – Sydney Cricket Ground – 20,000+ fans
Monday
Titans versus Sharks – Shark Park – 10,000+ fans
Some games I didn’t change the venue, but the ones I did change I believe could’ve attracted the predicted amount of fans.
There is also argument that it’s time to scrap Monday night football. In eight games in 2014, the average crowd has been 11,095. Again, this contributes to parents not wanting to take children out, as well as the game starting at 7pm and the lack of top teams playing in the Monday night fixture.
The Titans and the Sharks having already played three fixtures each on Monday nights in 2014, hurting their averages.
With the Rabbitohs recently breaking a record of 30,000 members and a number of other clubs already ahead of their 2013 tally, it is understandable to be confused as to why so little people aren’t attending the games.
During the off-season, the membership drive was in full swing, the same ad being played on TV over and over again calling for members.
We know there are people that love their rugby league. The NRL just needs to work hard to ensure that they make it easier for these people to attend games.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Wait til end of season Prof,to make any real prognostication. IOW give it time (the full season) no post mortems on a body,that is still alive.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
Hi Crosscoder, you are 100% correct. Sydney WAS a temperate climate. I think that for many there is a mindset that League starts about Easter -- traditionally when the weather cools -- and we had a late Easter that didn't coincide with a cool change. On the other hand, maybe people don't have money, or are indicating lack of confidence in the economy? For whatever reason, having read all the comments here, I am now convinced that the NRL has had record crowds in Sydney this season, and that fans have stayed away in droves so that crowds are at a record low. Confusion reigns (not rains)
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Even in the stinking hot temperatures,heavy rain deters beachgoers unless you are a nutcase boardie.Thought Sydney was a temperate climate Prof. Here's me thinking I was living in Sydney when I was actually living at Byron Bay.Damn. Fact is the NRL crowds in Sydney on a hot saturday afternoon ,were extremely impressive yesterday.
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I would have thought the stinking hot Sydney temperatures would have people thinking of swimming/beaches/barbecues etc, rather than getting sunburnt watching a pile of guys playing a game that wasn't designed for a sub-tropical climate -- not sure if anybody else agrees?
Bahn
Roar Rookie
First 9 rounds of 2013 vs. First 9 rounds of 2014 is a fairer comparison, but may require some adding http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/2013.html#rbr http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/2014.html#rbr
fiver
Guest
Stupid, QLD has over 2.5 million people in regional areas, NSW has a similar amount. That's a massive boost to NRL viewer numbers. Of course NZ is never included either.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
Yes, but Adelaide only has one sport to follow at the moment anyway. AFL has dominated the market in Adelaide and Melbourne for years now and it won't stop until we get more teams down south. If we play a game on a Thursday night next week i can guarantee you it will be under 15,000.
Nathan
Guest
Perhaps, the round ball game is to blame!
Marco
Guest
Did someone say Thursday night is a bad time for football? Down in Adelaide they seem to disagree. Just flicked over to 7mate. They got just over 50000 to an AFL game.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
A lot of clubs doubled or big increas on their membership prices this year. Plus I was going to get the cheapest GA ticket at the SFS on the weekend and it's $38 for an adult. More in better seats
Harry Wells
Guest
4.4% is within normal variations although St George struggling and low drawing easts doing well wouldn't help. South and Parra should lift things
Harry Wells
Guest
But the cap city numbers are soft was my point. The regional markets in the east have 5m maximum but they are avid footy watchers...
turbodewd
Guest
NRL and sports gambling...yeah, thats going to go well! There are no feel-good stories that result from gambling. None.
turbodewd
Guest
Correction - I said crowds were down 6.6% on last year, its actually 4.4% down. http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/2013.html http://stats.rleague.com/rl/crowds/2014.html
turbodewd
Guest
bilbo, go look at the totals after round 9. 2014 is down on 2013 by 55,000.
Josh Allerton
Roar Guru
There's no doubt the NRL crowds have improved since Easter, although before then, it was was getting beyond embarrassment.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The answer albo to your last line question is yes.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
You need to compare apples with apples in fact.The teams that played each other in rd1 up to rd 9 in 2013 are not necessarily the same teams that played each other in the same time slots as in 2014. That is why the only real test is at the end of the season.Seems pretty logical to me.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
It's always been regionals Harry,who make up a sizeable part of the Oz population..Trouble is the ratings mob people consider those viewers as not being consumers or worthy of inclusion with the Cap cities .
AR
Guest
I'll try to spell it out... If you want to know how this year's crowds are going, you need to compare Rd1-9 2014, with Rd1-9 2013. If you don't understand, don't worry about it.